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A delicious BLT with a side of fries and a pickle spear is a classic American dish that’s perfect for lunch. Although, sometimes these sandwiches are underplayed due to their seemingly simple composition. While based on the acronym a BLT is nothing more than bacon, lettuce and tomato layered between two slices of toasted bread, this sandwich can be raised to the highest echelons of deliciousness when you pay attention to the details. Here are five tips for making a fantastic BLT at home:

1. Learn how to bake bread
There are few things that do more to take a sandwich from good to great than fresh baked bread. Food52 recommends that once your bread is out of the oven, cut off a couple slices and only toast one side. Face the crunchy side inward, which will help ensure you get the same crunch without tearing up your mouth on the rough texture.

2. Whip up homemade mayo
Whether or not you like mayonnaise on your BLT is personal preference, but if you’re going to go for it you should whip it up fresh. Mayonnaise only requires a couple basic ingredients and can be stirred together in a flash. Not only will the flavor be better than store-bought mayo, but you can also add herbs and spices to your liking.

3. Go beyond the acronym
Just because the sandwich is called a BLT doesn’t mean you have to limit it to the staple ingredients. Bon Appetit recommends adding extras to your BLT such as a fried egg, avocados, jam or hot peppers to take the flavor to the next level.

4. Layer intelligently
BLTs contain two ingredients that can easily take your bread from toasted to soggy: tomatoes and bacon. Rather than allow the bread to soak up the bacon grease and juice from fresh tomatoes, Food52 advises using lettuce on both sides of your sandwich to create a barrier. If you include other ingredients, stack them throughout your sandwich in a way that ensures the bread stays firm.

5. Change the presentation
If you want to get really creative, skip the sandwich altogether and develop a more free-form take on the classic BLT. For example, on Canapes and Cocktails, sisters Olivia Newman-Young and Fran Newman-Young make a BLT mac and cheese served in parmesan cups.